US Supports Permanent UN Security Council Seats for African Countries
In a significant move, the United States has announced its support for two permanent seats for African states on the United Nations Security Council. This decision comes ahead of the UN General Assembly later this month, as reported by the New York Times.
The Security Council currently has 15 members, with five permanent seats holding veto power. The United States, Russia, China, Britain, and France are the current permanent members. The remaining 10 members rotate every two years.
Adding new permanent members would require the approval of all five permanent members and a change to the UN charter, a prospect that seems dim given the divisions among the permanent members. However, the US has expressed support for expanding the Council’s permanent membership to include not only African members but also a rotating seat for small island states.
The announcement has been met with mixed reactions, with some countries, including Japan, Brazil, India, Germany, and Italy, likely to push back against the proposal. These nations have also lobbied for permanent seats, arguing that the world has evolved since the aftermath of World War II.
Nigeria has been a strong advocate for a permanent seat at the UN, highlighting its contributions to global peace and security. The US ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, has also emphasized the importance of African representation on the Council, stating that non-permanent seats do not allow African countries to fully contribute to the Council’s work.
Thomas-Greenfield’s announcement may also be seen as a geopolitical gesture to repair US relations with Africa, which have been strained by conflicts in Ukraine and the Gaza Strip. The move could also help the US match the influence of China and Russia on the continent.
The US has previously expressed support for adding permanent seats for Japan and Germany, two close allies. The announcement follows a Council debate last month initiated by Sierra Leone, which has hosted one of the longest-running UN missions but has not had a voice on the Council in decades.
The UN Security Council plays a crucial role in maintaining peace and stability, preventing and mediating conflicts, and approving UN peacekeeping missions. The Council also has the power to impose sanctions.
African countries have long pushed for permanent seats on the Council, arguing that the size of the population living on the continent, as well as its economy and pressing issues, should be represented permanently at the world body. With 53 member states, Africa is one of the largest voting blocs in the UN, and the majority of UN peacekeeping missions are in Africa.
The US decision is seen as a significant step towards recognizing Africa’s importance on the global stage. However, the path to implementing this change will be challenging, requiring the approval of all five permanent members and a change to the UN charter.